{Classic Quilt Blocks} Bow Tie - A Tutorial

Classic Quilt Blocks have been sewn for centuries, are easy to recognise and are every quilters favorite. Let's celebrate these gorgeous blocks and add them to our quilting projects!

Last week in my Classic Quilt Blocks series, I introduced the gorgeous Bow Tie block. I talked about the blocks history and how it was designed and constructed, and I gave you some antique inspiration to encourage you to plan your own quilts.

Today I'm going to show you how to sew these cute little blocks two ways, in step by step tutorials. Hopefully you've had some time to raid your scrap bins and print last weeks colouring sheets ready to sew along with me.

We'll be starting with a basic Bow Tie block (Option 1) as shown in the photo above which requires one print fabric and a background fabric. Both of the tutorials will yield a 6" (finished) block, and there is a Cutting Chart at the end for six different sizes. The sizes in each option are constructed in the same manner, only the cutting sizes are different.

So, here we go:

From your background fabric cut:

• 2 x 3 1/2" squares (A)

From your print fabric cut:

• 2 x 3 1/2" squares (B)
• 2 x 2" squares (C)

• Using a pen or pencil, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each of the two 2" print (C) squares. This will be your sewing line.

• With right sides together, position a print (C) square in one corner of each of the two background (A) squares, aligning raw edges and ensuring the correct orientation of the sewing line prior to securing in place with a pin.

• Sew along the drawn lines and trim excess corners 1/4" from the sewn lines and press seams towards the print fabric.

• Arrange the four units into two rows of two units, using the photo above to ensure correct orientation of the units.

• Sew the units together into the two rows, pressing seams in alternate directions for nesting.

• Carefully matching the centre seam, sew the two rows together, pressing the long seam open to complete your Bow Tie block which should measure 6 1/2" square.

Tada! One perfect Bow Tie block to use in any project you like. You can sew them very quickly (around 5 minutes) and they become quite addictive.

The second tutorial I'm sharing today is for the two-toned Bow Tie block (Option 2). It's constructed in the same manner, with the addition of some extra sew and flip corners. Here we go:

From your background fabric cut:

• 2 x 3 1/2" squares (A)

From your main print fabric cut:

• 2 x 3 1/2" squares (B)

From your contrasting print fabric cut:

• 4 x 2" squares (C)

• Using a pen or pencil, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each of the four print (C) squares. This will be your sewing line.

• With right sides together, position a print (C) square in one corner of each of the two background (A) squares and each of the two print (B) squares, aligning raw edges and ensuring correct orientation of the sewing line prior to securing in place with a pin.

• Sew along the drawn lines and trim away excess corners 1/4" from the sewn lines. Press the seams on the background (A) squares towards the print fabric and press the seams of the print (B) squares towards the large print squares for nesting.

• Arrange the four units into two rows of two units, using the photo above to ensure correct orientation of all units.

• Carefully matching the seams, sew the units together into the two rows, pressing seams in alternate directions for nesting.

• Carefully matching all seams, sew the two rows together, pressing the long seam open to complete your two-toned Bow Tie block which should measure 6 1/2" square.

Tada! One perfect two-toned Bow Tie block (Option 2) to use in your next project.

I hope you had fun sewing these two versions of the Bow Tie block, and that you sew lots more of these little cuties in the future. To help you out I've put together a Cutting Chart of six Bow Tie block sizes. Simply click on the link to download the free chart or right click on the photo below and save it to your computer.

To use the chart, simply select the size block you require and then cut your pieces accordingly. Please note, I have included both block options in the chart so you have all the requirements for the basic block (Option 1) or the two-toned block (Option 2).

And that's it for this week. I hope you have fun sewing these blocks. Next week I'm going to share some layout options to encourage you to make your own Bow Tie quilt.  There are some gorgeous options in this bunch and you're going to find it hard to narrow it down to just one favorite!

Happy quilting :)